Tonga's human rights record reviewed by Human Rights Council

Tonga has its human rights record reviewed by the Human
Rights Council

The international community has,
through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United
Nations Human Rights Council, identified a number of human
rights issues that the people of Tonga continue to face.
Last Monday (21 January), Tonga was the first Pacific Island
State to be examined for the second time for its human
rights record. In the UPR, Pacific Island States have a
great opportunity to discuss their human rights situation,
including challenges and opportunities with the
international community.

The UPR process highlights
positive developments but also raises further concerns. The
continued democratization process, anti-corruption measures,
and policies and campaigns to prevent domestic violence were
noted positive achievements. Recommendations for Tonga put
forward by other countries included: to make continued
efforts to ratify Human Rights Treaties and Conventions
(including CEDAW and CAT); to enhance efforts to combat
violence against women and adopt specific legislation on
domestic violence; to prioritise gender equality initiatives
particularly in relation to property, family and employment;
to intensify efforts to increase women’s participation at
formal decision-making levels; and to consider establishing
a National Human Rights Institution etc.

OHCHR’s
Regional Office for the Pacific welcomes Tonga’s
engagement with the UPR and looks forward to Tonga now also
living up to its commitments. The Office is ready to
continue supporting Tonga in its efforts to further
implement the recommendations and to strengthen its human
rights framework.

The UPR is one of the key elements of
the Human Rights Council, which reminds States of their
responsibility to fully respect and implement all human
rights and fundamental freedoms. The ultimate aim of this
mechanism is to improve the human rights situation in all
countries and address human rights violations wherever they
occur.

• OHCHR
leads global human rights efforts and works to promote and
protect the human rights that are guaranteed under
international law and stipulated in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.• OHCHR is headed
by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem
Pillay, who co-ordinates human rights activities throughout
the UN System and works closely with the Human Rights
Council.• OHCHR Regional Pacific office covers 16
countries: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States
of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New
Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon
Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

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